The High Court rules in favour of News Corp, but against press freedom

Apr 16, 2020 14:57 pm UTC| Law

It is easy to assume Australia has a free press. Our squawky newspapers are filled with stories about the failings of government, acid-tongued columnists routinely lash our politicians, and until May last year the police...

The limits of federal emergency law during a pandemic

Apr 04, 2020 07:00 am UTC| Law

While there has never been an official national public health emergency in Canada, there has been discussion of whether the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to precipitate one soon. Its therefore important to understand the...

Halting jury trials may impact a defendant's right to a fair trial

Mar 26, 2020 16:10 pm UTC| Law

The decision of the lord chief justice, Lord Burnett, to halt new jury trials in England and Wales in response to COVID-19 follows the example set by Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is understandable as the safety of...

Australian states are shutting their borders to stop coronavirus. Is that actually allowed?

Mar 23, 2020 11:58 am UTC| Law

Movement of people and goods across state borders in Australia is guaranteed by the Constitution. Section 92 of the Constitution says trade, commerce, and intercourse among the States, whether by means of internal...

Forensic linguists explore how emojis can be used as evidence in court

Mar 23, 2020 11:57 am UTC| Law

Emojis have become ubiquitous in text communication messages are peppered with smiley faces, hearts and other graphic icons. They were first drawn by graphic designer Shigetaka Kurita, and generated by a Japanese...

'The bills were more stressful than the cancer': US versus UK healthcare – a personal story

Mar 23, 2020 07:36 am UTC| Insights & Views Law

As a medical anthropologist, I have spent the past 30 years based at major universities researching issues of access to healthcare and support for the inclusion of people from vulnerable and marginalised populations. In...

Why South Africa should resist US pressure to extend copyright terms

Mar 10, 2020 05:44 am UTC| Law

The current term of copyright in South Africa is life-of-the-author plus 50 years. But the US is pressuring South Africa to extend the term to life-plus-70. Since the US is a net exporter of copyrighted media, like songs,...